Greetings,
Beloved soul of the universe.
In this meditation of mindful breathing,
We will delve into understanding the deep aspects of the human condition.
Begin by finding a comfortable place,
Preferably where you will feel the pressure of your buttocks against the surface.
This can be on the floor or on a chair.
Throughout the practice,
Maintain a straight spine,
With your hands resting lightly on your thighs.
Pause for a moment.
Close your eyes,
And let's begin our inner journey.
Breath is the key to being present in the moment.
Feel the air entering through your nostrils,
Filling your body with fresh energy.
Each inhale is an opportunity to breathe in new life,
And each exhale is a chance to release old burdens and negative thoughts.
Direct all your attention beneath your nostrils.
Breathe slowly,
Being aware of each inhale and exhale.
How are you breathing,
Quickly or slowly?
Allow your breath to be your guiding light,
Your foundation leading you to inner harmony and tranquility.
Let your breath flow naturally.
St.
Francis of Assisi,
Known for his devotion to poverty and his love for all creatures,
Expressed a similar sentiment when he prayed,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
St.
Francis' words reflect a detachment from the self-centered pursuit of external validation and comfort,
Advocating instead for finding peace and happiness in the service of others and in the selfless expression of love.
When you feel love or animosity towards someone,
You are bound to them in both cases.
An individual might start to despise themselves for not matching the standards or ideals they've set for themselves.
This mismatch is a common route of depression.
It's common for those afflicted with depression to seek relief through medical professionals and pharmaceuticals.
In the medical field,
A significant level of stress and illness is found among health care providers,
Including doctors.
Notably,
Mental health professionals exhibit a high incidence of stress-related conditions,
Including cancer and depression,
And they also face a substantial risk of suicide.
We live in an era where the ailing often seek guidance from those who are equally or more unwell,
Asking for advice on how to escape a shared affliction.
A medication cannot transform one's consciousness.
If that were feasible,
Then the medication would hold more power than the divine.
Consciousness is a complex and not fully understood phenomenon that encompasses awareness,
Perception,
Thoughts,
And feelings.
Medications can affect the biochemistry of the brain and alter mood,
Perception,
And behavior,
But they do not fundamentally change a person's consciousness or self-awareness.
For example,
Antidepressants can help alleviate symptoms of depression,
But they do not change the core of who a person is or their capacity for spiritual experiences.
Moreover,
Medications that are addictive,
Such as certain opioids or benzodiazepines,
Can lead to dependency and may cloud consciousness rather than elevate it.
These substances can provide temporary relief from pain or anxiety,
But can also lead to a cycle of addiction that detracts from a person's quality of life and self-awareness.
And why do we hold the belief that these drugs will be effective when there are no clear examples of their success?
We look for solutions outside ourselves,
Hoping for a miraculous drug to bring about change.
Yet our reliance on external remedies doesn't provide the genuine solution.
While psychiatric medications can be effective for many individuals,
They are not a cure-all.
For instance,
In the treatment of major depressive disorder,
Antidepressants may not work for everyone.
According to the STARD study,
One of the largest studies on the treatment of depression,
Only about one-third of patients achieve remission with their first medication,
And some patients do not respond,
Even after trying multiple medications.
The placebo effect is a clear example of the limitations of medication.
In many clinical trials,
A placebo,
An inert substance,
Can produce a therapeutic effect simply because the individual believes they are taking a real medication.
This suggests that the belief and expectation of the patient play a significant role in their healing process,
Independent of the medication's active ingredients.
There are numerous cases where individuals do not respond to medications as expected.
For example,
In the treatment of schizophrenia,
Some patients are treatment-resistant,
Meaning they do not experience significant symptom relief,
Despite taking antipsychotic medications.
Research on neuroplasticity shows that our brains can change and adapt throughout our lives through experiences,
Learning,
And practice.
While medication can support this process by stabilizing mood or reducing anxiety,
The transformative work of altering one's thought patterns,
Behaviors,
And ultimately consciousness often requires active engagement in therapies or practices that promote mental flexibility and growth.
Consider a person who becomes sick.
Why?
Perhaps they've broken some natural laws,
Or maybe they don't comprehend the circumstances that led to their illness and can't process the associated emotions.
All this can lead to disillusionment and become the root of their ailment.
They then consult a doctor who prescribes a miraculous drug.
They take it,
And the illness vanishes.
This would imply that the drug enabled them to,
First,
Suddenly gain complete understanding.
Second,
Fully process all their emotions.
Third,
Eradicate the karma that caused their illness.
Fourth,
Elevate the pill above the divine,
Making it a sort of super-deity.
In the journey of life,
One must align with their dharma.
Dharma embodies the fulfillment of what your karma has ordained for you.
Through this alignment,
Happiness and success reveal themselves.
Straying from this path leads to a state where happiness and success elude you.
Your meditation serves not only yourself,
But also those who orbit your existence.
The individuals in your sphere are reflections of your consciousness.
Life itself mirrors your consciousness in every aspect.
Even your life partner reflects your consciousness.
Hence,
Refrain from reproaching your partners or treating them with disdain.
They act as mirrors,
Chosen by your own volition,
Without coercion.
They mirror your essence.
This underscores that altering your karma,
Shifting your consciousness,
Inevitably impacts your partner.
Connected by karma,
You mirror one another.
As one finds tranquility,
So does the other.
Your union is bound by shared karma.
As one person elevates,
So does the other.
It's the essence of life,
The law of karma in action.
Therefore,
Aid yourself,
And in doing so,
You aid all.
Kindness need not be bestowed without invitation.
By helping yourself,
You uplift everyone.
If every individual nurtures themselves,
Collective elevation becomes inevitable.
Continue to observe your breath until the end of the audio session.
Only then will you develop true tranquility and inner peace.
